Barbara Rodriguez
USA TODAY
Iowa, United States
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Past articles by Barbara:
Republican state lawmakers want to punish schools that teach the 1619 Project
Lawmakers in at least five states filed bills that threaten to cut funding to schools that share curriculum about slavery, racism and U.S. history. → Read More
The country needs poll workers. Young women are stepping up
As the pandemic keeps older poll workers from volunteering, younger women continue a legacy of being on the front lines of elections. → Read More
As protests continued in Iowa, organizers shifted strategies and messaging as they seek policy changes
Some organizers behind the large demonstrations in Iowa have asked participants not to kneel, march or pray with police. It's a contrast to some of the earliest days of the protests, and represents a shift in strategies and messaging as young people take the lead. → Read More
Watch: Gov. Kim Reynolds to hold Friday coronavirus news conference, as testing becomes more accessible and deaths rise
Gov. Kim Reynolds on Friday will hold a news conference about the state's reaction to the coronavirus and her plan to get the state's businesses going again. → Read More
Watch live: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds holds daily coronavirus news briefing Friday
Gov. Kim Reynolds will hold her daily COVID-19 briefing on how the state is handling the global pandemic. → Read More
Trump’s order to open meat plants brings anxiety to one Iowa town where 90% of COVID-19 cases are tied to Tyson
Black Hawk County has more coronavirus cases than any county in Iowa. 90% of the 1,326 cases are tied to the Tyson pork plant that closed last week. → Read More
Top aide for Gov. Kim Reynolds says Iowa projection on coronavirus is coming next week
The timeline provides the public more concrete information on when it can expect data from the state on COVID-19. → Read More
Governor's order suspending 'non-essential' surgery includes halting surgical abortions
A spokesman for Gov. Kim Reynolds said the proclamation suspending nonessential surgeries in Iowa includes surgical abortion procedures. → Read More
Coronavirus in Iowa: State has first COVID-19 death, person from Dubuque County
The death is linked to one of the known cases of coronavirus in the state. The Iowa Department of Public Health has reported 124 cases in the state as of Tuesday. → Read More
Iowa suspends property tax collection, evictions; relaxes or extends deadlines on regulations in reaction to coronavirus outbreak
In a sweeping declaration, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds suspended some tax collections and evictions and relaxed or extended deadlines on regulations → Read More
Coronavirus in Iowa: Gov. Kim Reynolds prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people, closes theaters, casinos, restaurants, bars
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issues proclamation taking steps to require social distancing and limit community spread of the coronavirus. → Read More
Coronavirus in Iowa: Another Iowan tests positive, sickened without recent travel meaning it was 'community spread'
As of Saturday night, 18 people in Iowa have tested positive for coronavirus, all but one sickened after travel → Read More
Five new presumptive positive cases of coronavirus in Iowa, state officials say
Polly Carver-Kimm, a spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Public Health, said the governor's office will provide more information Monday night. → Read More
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will hold a news conference Sunday night regarding the coronavirus
Iowa has been in the minority of states without a presumptive positive case of the virus. State officials have been preparing in part by offering safety guidelines to health providers, educators, employers and the public. → Read More
Iowa's public universities cancel travel plans over coronavirus. Here's the latest on what you need to know
All university-sponsored international travel for all faculty, staff and students has been canceled for 30 days, effective immediately. That includes spring break travel. → Read More
Coronavirus hasn't reached Iowa, but it's already having an effect on the state
Restrictions remain limited, but the coronavirus has the potential, in some cases, to upend Iowans' daily lives. → Read More
Iowa Democrats say they were inundated with outside calls that clogged caucus results reporting
“It just became very clear that members of the public in general had started calling,” said Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand. → Read More
DNC chair calls on Iowa Democratic Party to begin a recanvass of caucus results
"In light of the problems that have emerged in the implementation of the delegate selection plan and in order to assure public confidence in the results, I am calling on the Iowa Democratic Party to immediately begin a recanvass," Perez tweeted. → Read More
Touting foreign policy experience, electability, Democratic candidates make final pitches to Iowans on Des Moines debate stage
With the caucus Feb. 3, time is running out for candidates to make impressions on undecided Iowans, who represent a majority of the state's electorate. → Read More
Actress Mandy Moore joins Pete Buttigieg in Iowa: 'No way I could ... sit on the sidelines'
The "This is Us" actress got to Iowa on Monday and immediately met with staff and volunteers for Pete Buttigieg's campaign. → Read More